White House meetings find little give on debt standoff

WASHINGTON — Debt-reduction talks between congressional leaders and the White House entered a critical phase Monday, with no clear framework for resolving the deadlock over taxes and spending and a deadline for a potential federal default fast approaching.

President Barack Obama convened top Senate leaders at the White House to restart talks as both sides have grown more intransigent in their demands.

If Congress fails to increase the government's borrowing limit by Aug. 2, experts have warned that the nation risks potentially catastrophic financial consequences.

That theoretically leaves five weeks for a decision and a congressional vote. But Treasury Department officials and financial experts have exhorted political leaders not to wait until the last minute, saying apprehension in the markets could begin to appear before that date.

Negotiations unraveled last week, as GOP leaders pulled out over taxes. Republicans are seeking steep spending reductions to lower the federal deficit in exchange for their votes to increase the borrowing limit, demanding a dollar-for-dollar exchange of cuts for new debt — about $2.4 trillion through 2012.

At the same time, Republicans are adamant that no new sources of revenue be part of the deal to cut deficits.

But the White House on Monday intensified a push for new revenue by proposing reductions in tax breaks for corporations and upper-income individuals. Democrats want to end subsidies for the oil and gas industry and owners of private jets. They also want to pare back deductions that can be claimed by households earning beyond $500,000 a year.

However, before attending the White House meeting, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, held fast, saying it would be "politically impossible" to pass new taxes in Congress.

Still, the political calculations are complex. In the House, dozens of rank-and-file Republicans are insisting on such drastic budget revisions that they are unlikely to vote on any eventual deal.

As a result, GOP leaders who control the House likely will need Democratic votes to pass an agreement, and must do something to woo those lawmakers. Earlier this year, GOP leaders were in a similar position, averting a government shutdown through a deal backed by Democratic lawmakers.

"Obviously, compromise and an agreement will depend on each side being willing to accept some tough choices," said White House Press Secretary Jay Carney. Budgets, he said, are "moral" choices, and Republicans must "take on some of their sacred cows."

Obama held separate meetings with McConnell and Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., the majority leader, as he takes on a larger role in reaching an agreement. Vice President Joe Biden also was at both sessions.

"They will continue to talk as we go forward," said McConnell spokesman Don Stewart after the hour-plus meeting.

It remains uncertain how talks will continue, especially after talks led by Biden faltered last week after the House Republican negotiator, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., dropped out, refusing to negotiate on the tax issue.

No new meetings were announced Monday, although top staff members are expected to resume negotiations.

Further complicating a resolution to the standoff is the congressional calendar. The House and Senate will not be in session at the same time until July 11, and any deal must be delicately drafted into legislation. Aides do not expect a vote before both chambers return from July 4 breaks.

At the same time, Wall Street has warned lawmakers that without progress by mid-July, risks rise for a costly downgrade of the nation's debt rating. Lower ratings would lead to higher interest rates.

"We are trapped in a nasty game of chicken, instead of bipartisan efforts to do the right thing for the country," said Maya MacGuineas, president of the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.